Department
Biological Sciences
Advisor
Dr. Jeffrey Port
Location
Bethel University
Document Type
Poster
Keywords:
Goat grazing, small mammal trapping, population analysis
Abstract
Many methods have evolved over the years to attempt to manage invasive Rhamnus cathartica or buckthorn populations. Goat grazing has been shown to be effective at reducing R. cathartica stems, as well as allowing low amounts of viable seeds to pass through goat digestive tracts. Due to small mammal’s prevalence and ecological niche, they are a popular subject for population studies because they can be an indicator of ecological health. This study examined whether or not there was a difference in small mammal populations between a control plot and an experimental plot grazed by goats. Trapping data from 10 days was used to calculate a Lincoln-Petersen population estimate and Shannon-Wiener biodiversity index value. Population composition through age ratio, sex ratio, and average weight per species between plots was also compared. No significant differences between the plots was found for the studied metrics. The conclusion was drawn that due to the browsing preferences of goats, the small mammal habitats were largely unaffected by goat grazing, resulting in little difference between experimental plots.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Jordan F., "Effects of Goat Grazing on Small Mammal Populations" (2025). Science Symposium. 3.
https://spark.bethel.edu/science_symposium/spring2025/schedule2025/3
Included in
Effects of Goat Grazing on Small Mammal Populations
Bethel University
Many methods have evolved over the years to attempt to manage invasive Rhamnus cathartica or buckthorn populations. Goat grazing has been shown to be effective at reducing R. cathartica stems, as well as allowing low amounts of viable seeds to pass through goat digestive tracts. Due to small mammal’s prevalence and ecological niche, they are a popular subject for population studies because they can be an indicator of ecological health. This study examined whether or not there was a difference in small mammal populations between a control plot and an experimental plot grazed by goats. Trapping data from 10 days was used to calculate a Lincoln-Petersen population estimate and Shannon-Wiener biodiversity index value. Population composition through age ratio, sex ratio, and average weight per species between plots was also compared. No significant differences between the plots was found for the studied metrics. The conclusion was drawn that due to the browsing preferences of goats, the small mammal habitats were largely unaffected by goat grazing, resulting in little difference between experimental plots.